Overview & Reviews

For more than 100 years now, Ford Motor Company has been selling mass-produced automobiles in the United States and around the globe. Known as one of the Big Three American manufacturers, Ford has attracted millions of loyal customers with a wide range of vehicles that offer considerable value. The automaker's trucks and SUVs have been especially popular. For decades, Ford's F-Series truck has been the best-selling vehicle in America.

The company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903. Ford dreamed of building a car for the masses, and that's precisely what he did, most notably with the immortal Model T of 1908-'27. The latter was bought by 16.5 million Americans during its 20-year lifespan and was affordable enough for Ford's own factory workers to purchase. Ford's early years were also distinguished by its introduction of the moving assembly line. It was the first to utilize this more cost-effective method of production, and its innovation became a mainstay of the manufacturing process.

Ford expanded into the luxury-car market with its purchase of Lincoln Motor Company in 1925. Over the next few years, the company broadened its focus even further by creating the Mercury division to produce mid-priced cars. By the late '30s, Ford had unveiled the stylish Lincoln Zephyr, introduced a low-priced V8 engine and built more than 25 million vehicles.

The 1950s saw the introduction of the legendary Thunderbird. Offering sleek styling and spirited performance wedded to available luxury features like power windows and a signal-seeking radio, the car was a huge hit. Another model of that decade, the Edsel, met with a somewhat less enthusiastic reception. In the wake of abysmal sales, the Edsel was discontinued just a few months into its third model year.

Ford regained its footing in the early 1960s with the introduction of the compact Falcon, a model that was warmly received by the public. By the middle of the decade the automaker had given enthusiasts something to cheer about with the launch of the sporty Mustang, a car that went on to become one of the biggest sellers of its day. Buyers adored the Mustang's low price, available powerful V8 engines and sporty styling. The Mustang even created a brand-new vehicle category: the pony car.

By the 1970s, Ford, like other domestic automakers, was starting to suffer the effects of changing consumer tastes and new government regulations. Many of its cars became shadows of their former selves. But the seeds of rebirth were planted in this decade. In 1979, the company acquired a stake in Mazda; this move would later aid Ford significantly in co-development projects. The company also emerged with a new mindset of global competitiveness.

By the mid-to-late '80s, Ford was showing new strength with its popular Escort and Taurus models while further expanding its empire with the purchase of the Aston Martin and Jaguar brands. Meanwhile, its full-size LTD sedan (later renamed the Crown Victoria) remained a staple of taxi companies and police forces throughout America.

Ford rode a wave of popularity in the 1990s, thanks in part to the huge success of its Explorer midsize SUV. The truck played a huge role in ushering in the era of the SUV. In 1999, Ford expanded its family yet again with the purchase of Volvo's car division, and, in 2000, it acquired Land Rover. For awhile, there was talk of Ford even taking General Motors' spot as the No. 1 automaker in the world.

But the new millennium initially saw a downturn for Ford. Increased competition, a continuing operating loss for Jaguar, legacy costs and a reliance on SUVs for profit took their toll. To compensate, the company sold Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo and introduced a wave of successful new products. Models like the F-150, Fusion, Fiesta, Focus, Flex and Mustang have allowed Ford to regain its health and standing as a very competitive manufacturer.

User Reviews:

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  2004 explorer - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By amet - August 17 - 10:00 am

  this is to me the best looking exterior of all trucks. it is great to drive and is not as bad on fuel as i had expected. if they had only put the f-150 interior inside. i love my truck so far and will probably keep it for a long time to come.

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  281 Vert - 2001 Ford Mustang
  By gunns20 - August 16 - 1:01 am

  I always take the long way to work. That sums up my experience with the car. There has only been one problem in over a year of ownership, and that was the top. Ford fixed it under the EXTENDED warranty. Really surprised me, and was much appreciated, considering what Ive heard from others about Ford. Awesome looks, sounds great, faster than 99% of cars on the road, been super reliable, 281 cubes, and American muscle. My former Acura was nothing in performance and reliability compared to this. Goes to show if you treat a car right and maintain it properly, itll love you back. People gripe about the fake scoops, but look at 60/70s muscle cars and tons have fake scoops too. I love em!

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  For the $$, Couldnt beat it! - 2006 Ford Freestar
  By cv2166 - August 15 - 8:55 pm

  Stickered for a hair over $30k. DVD, SE Premium Package, Liftgate spoiler, Advancetrac, side canopy airbags,17" alloys, quad seating.... really well equipped. Floor console too ($150 option...kinda steep I think). ANYWAY...rebates, discounts,and plans through work, (company is a supplier to Ford) knocked it down to $19k and change! Yes, its brand new! Couldnt TOUCH another for that. Rides nice. Like the SIZE. Sits high. Looks nice. Got the Norsea Blue. Pretty!

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  Road noise only issue - 2005 Ford Escape
  By YoYo - August 15 - 6:27 pm

  After 2 years of use and 45000 miles, mostly highway, my only complaint is the deafening interior noise is.

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  Listen Up Ford! Make the SHO again - 1993 Ford Taurus
  By Flips SHO - August 15 - 2:42 pm

  I have owned my SHO for a little over 11 years now. I thought about trading it 4 years ago, but I could not bring myself into parting with it. It is so much better than the "sucked in sides" Taurus on the market now. Mines a beat up old workhorse which I have admittedly abused of late, but my repair bill for last year was a little over $600 ($200 of which was for a couple of new tires). In fact the only major repairs Ive experienced in all this time was a rebuilt transmission ($1600 at 130,000 miles) and a bottom end oil seal and water pump repair ($900 at 115,000 miles). I figure every month I keep this car is another car payment I put in my pocket. Fun to drive, hugs the curves and fast.

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  Good family wagon - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By Soccer Mom - August 14 - 9:07 am

  An excellent vehicle for family life. Loads of hauling space, third row seat lets you haul up to 7 with seat belts for all. Amazing turning radius makes for easy handling in parking lots. The big V8 option gives plenty of power albeit with low gas mileage

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  Not a bad truck - 2005 Ford F-150
  By Mike - August 13 - 8:00 am

  The 2005 really is an improvement in ride and quietness over the 2003 I traded for it.

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  Now That the Tire Flap Is Behind Us... - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By Mountain - August 13 - 2:00 am

  All things considered, Ford did a pretty fair job of making things right during the Tire Crisis with Firestone. We have new tires, and we enjoy our Explorer. Its still a truck, though, no getting around that - just tromp on the gas, and youll get the point: little acceleration, big noise. Still its pretty, has a large interior, and our Limited Package is extremely comfortable. It is a great "utility vehicle," and its good with long hauls.

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  nice at first, then problems - 1992 Ford Explorer
  By r grigsby - August 12 - 1:22 pm

  Our 92 Explorer seemed to run just fine until 1998 when it broke down on a roadtrip, transmission fluid gushing out onto the road. Had the transmission replaced for $1800 or so. Same thing happened again in 2004. I will never take it on a roadtrip again. The transmission is not beefy enough for the weight of the car. Nowadays it just slowly deteriorates. For some reason water gets trapped in the rear doors causing them to rust away at the bottom. Rocker panels have also completely rusted out. Overal l-- not reliable, lousy.

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  Focus delivers the goods where it counts - 2006 Ford Focus
  By William E. Irving - August 11 - 4:23 pm

  I wanted a car with 4 cylinders and a 5-speed to replace my aging 6-cylinder auto 99 Jetta. Jetta still beautiful and a joy to drive, but neither very economical nor particularly reliable. Always liked styling of the Focus, so I thought I would try it, after 25 years of VWs. Dont know what all the carping about build quality is about. Paint is deep and lustrous, body panels fit, feels tight and solid on the road - no rattles or squeaks. Interior not as pretty as Jetta, but is functional, sturdy and comfortable. Engine torquey with smooth power delivery. Focus weighs 500 lbs less than Jetta, so power deficit not a big deal. Moreover, car has been very reliable - old Foci Ive seen hold up well.